Hiram Halle Library Announces Plans to Renovate and Expand

The Board of Directors of the Hiram Halle Memorial Library, Marilyn Tinter, Library Director, and the Pound Ridge Library Foundation announce the launching of a $2.9 million Capital Campaign dedicated to repairing and expanding the Library’s aging building. The five-year campaign, which will seek tax-deductible contributions from individuals, foundations, and area business, will be conducted by the Pound Ridge Library Foundation. The core of the campaign will be voluntary contributions which donors can make in a single installment or with formal three or five year pledges.

“We are at a critical juncture in the history of the Library,” says Marilyn Tinter, Library Director, “comparable in its own way to the Library’s founding moment in 1952 and to the 1970 addition of the Shaffner Room.”

Donald MacDonald, an architect specializing in library design, was asked by the Board to draw a plan addressing the Library’s current shortcomings and future needs. In addition, MacDonald’s charge was to respect the integrity of the Library’s original historic building; work within the parameters of the Library’s site; and produce a design in harmony with the Library’s Hamlet location.

MacDonald’s proposed design would add 4728 square feet to the current building. The one-floor plan would create an expanded and better equipped children’s section  (one of the Library’s most actively used features) in the current Shaffner Room area.  The Shaffner Room is currently dedicated to community gatherings, concerts, exhibitions and other events. In turn, a new community room would be built at the back of the building. Technology enhancements, youth study areas, staff workspace, and a new entrance are also part of the new  sign.

$500,000 have already been raised in pre-launch contributions. Lead gifts and pledges of $5,000 and above have been received from the Gage Foundation, Janet Schloat, Hobson Brown and Lisa MacIntyre, Laura and Don Henry/the Corddry Foundation, James and Helen Luciano, Edward McGettigan, Sr., Miles and Barbara Hisiger, Sam and Judy Ostrow, Louis Weinstock and Rosa Portell-Weinstock, Pete and Judy Kennedy, Rayanne and Ed Kleiner and the C.F. Roe Slade Foundation. Fifteen other donors have also contributed to the campaign. All members of the Library’s Board and the Foundation’s Board have contributed to the building fund, many with lead gifts.

The building’s renewal project has been under consideration by the Library’s Board since 2000, but the Library’s operational finances had to be improved before the project could be undertaken. The Library’s basic operations became tax-supported through a public referendum in the Fall of 2003. An all-volunteer Library Foundation was created that same year, to solicit voluntary, tax-deductible contributions to underwrite needs not covered in the regular budget.  District Board members are elected by voters to 3 year terms and receive no compensation. The Library Foundation’s eleven-member Board also serves voluntarily.

The library boards decided not to raise the money needed by having a bond election. “We know that tax increases can be a hardship for people. However, raising $2.9 million privately in a town the size of Pound Ridge will require the involvement of the entire community. We hope that those who can most afford it will make substantial gifts to the building fund and that everyone in town will participate in the campaign,” says Laura Henry, President of the Library Foundation. “The Library is a community asset that enriches the lives of all who live in Pound Ridge. It belongs to our community and will only be as strong and sound as our community wishes it to be.”

The building’s renewal project is part of the Board of Director’s long-range plan for the library, which also includes enhanced service features. Responding to numerous requests from the public, for example, Wednesday Library hours have recently been restored. “We encourage the public to communicate with us to learn how the Library can be of better service,” says Brian Thompson, President of the District Library Board. “Our ultimate goal is to provide better services within an expanded more open facility and bring the Library to a new level, worthy of the town of Pound Ridge.”

Marilyn Tinter, Library Director, says that the staff is determined to keep operations running as smoothly as possible during the building phase. “We will work hard to minimize inconveniences to our patrons. We believe that the greatly improved Library will be well worth any extra work on our part and any temporary inconveniences that may happen while the work is being done. “

Details on the Library’s Renovation Project, including drawings and the rationale for the project can be found at the Library’s web site www.poundridgelibrary.org. The Library Foundation will be holding a series of public and private meetings to provide information about the project and to solicit town residents’ input and support.

From:                                        Hiram Halle Memorial Library Board

and

                                                The Pound Ridge Library Foundation

Contacts:                                  Brian Thompson, President, Hiram Halle Library Board  764-9762

                                                   Laura Henry, President, The Pound Ridge Library Foundation  764-4230

 Email:                                        PRLFoundation@aol.com

For Release:                              March 23, 2006